Systems And Methods For Delivering Fluid To A Wound Therapy Dressing

Abstract

Provided are systems and methods for delivery of fluid to a wound therapy dressing. In exemplary embodiments, a pressure source provides negative pressure to a wound dressing and a biasing mechanism provides positive pressure to a fluid reservoir.

1 - 29 . (canceled) 
     
     
         30 . A system adapted to deliver fluid to a wound therapy dressing, comprising:
 a negative pressure source adapted to be in fluid communication with the wound therapy dressing to provide negative pressure to the wound therapy dressing;   a housing adapted to receive a fluid reservoir, the fluid reservoir adapted to be in fluid communication with the wound therapy dressing to provide fluid from the fluid reservoir to the wound therapy dressing;   a flow sensor adapted to be positioned in fluid communication between the fluid reservoir and the wound therapy dressing and to detect a flow rate of the fluid from the fluid reservoir to the wound therapy dressing;   a flow controller adapted to be positioned in fluid communication between the fluid reservoir and the wound therapy dressing and to control a flow of the fluid from the fluid reservoir to the wound therapy dressing; and   a control circuit adapted to control the negative pressure source and the flow controller, the control circuit further adapted to receive a fluid flow rate signal from the flow sensor that corresponds to the flow rate of the fluid from the fluid reservoir and a negative pressure signal that corresponds to the negative pressure in the wound therapy dressing.   
     
     
         31 . The system of  claim 30 , wherein the fluid reservoir is a polyethylene bag. 
     
     
         32 . The system of  claim 30 , wherein the flow controller is a control valve adapted to be controlled by the control circuit. 
     
     
         33 . The system of  claim 30 , further comprising a biasing mechanism adapted to exert a positive pressure on the fluid in the fluid reservoir, wherein the biasing mechanism is a constant-force spring. 
     
     
         34 . The system of  claim 33 , wherein the biasing mechanism is disposed within a receptacle to secure the fluid reservoir in the housing, the receptacle slidably received within the housing and configured to extend from the housing. 
     
     
         35 . The system of  claim 33 , wherein the positive pressure on the fluid in the fluid reservoir is at least approximately 75 mm Hg. 
     
     
         36 . The system of  claim 30 , wherein the negative pressure source comprises a vacuum pump and a negative pressure controller, the control circuit adapted to control the vacuum pump and the negative pressure controller according to the negative pressure signal. 
     
     
         37 . The system of  claim 30 , wherein the negative pressure source is disposed within the housing. 
     
     
         38 . The system of  claim 36 , wherein the negative pressure controller is a control valve. 
     
     
         39 . The system of  claim 30 , further comprising a pressure sensor adapted to measure the negative pressure in the wound therapy dressing. 
     
     
         40 . A method of providing instillation fluid and negative pressure to a wound dressing, comprising:
 applying negative pressure to the wound dressing until the negative pressure in the wound dressing reaches a target negative pressure;   determining a required volumetric flow rate of the negative pressure to the wound dressing to maintain the negative pressure in the wound dressing substantially at the target negative pressure, the required volumetric flow rate of the negative pressure substantially corresponding to a volumetric leak rate of the negative pressure from the wound dressing;   enabling instillation fluid flow to the wound dressing after the wound dressing reaches the target negative pressure;   monitoring the negative pressure in the wound dressing as the instillation fluid flows into the wound dressing;   applying negative pressure to the wound dressing while the instillation fluid flows into the wound dressing, wherein a flow rate of the negative pressure applied while the instillation fluid flows substantially corresponds to the volumetric leak rate of the negative pressure from the wound dressing; and   ceasing the instillation fluid flow to the wound dressing when the negative pressure in the wound dressing is approximately atmospheric pressure.   
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein enabling instillation fluid flow to the wound dressing comprises exerting a force on instillation fluid in a fluid reservoir with a biasing mechanism and permitting the negative pressure in the wound dressing to draw the instillation fluid into the wound dressing, the fluid reservoir being in fluid communication with the wound dressing, wherein the instillation fluid flow to the wound dressing is substantially inhibited prior to the negative pressure in the wound dressing reaching the target negative pressure. 
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 40 , further comprising determining a total volume of the instillation fluid flow to the wound dressing, the total volume of the instillation fluid flow substantially corresponding to a flow rate of the instillation fluid to the wound dressing and a time period required for the wound dressing to reach approximately atmospheric pressure after enabling the instillation fluid flow to the wound dressing. 
     
     
         43 . A system adapted to deliver fluid to a wound therapy dressing, comprising:
 a housing adapted to receive a fluid reservoir, the fluid reservoir adapted to be in fluid communication with the wound therapy dressing to provide fluid from the fluid reservoir to the wound therapy dressing;   a mechanism adapted to apply a positive pressure to the fluid reservoir;   a control circuit adapted to control the delivery of negative pressure and delivery of the fluid to the wound therapy dressing; and   a flow sensor adapted to be positioned in fluid communication between the fluid reservoir and the wound therapy dressing and to detect a flow rate of the fluid from the fluid reservoir to the wound therapy dressing;   wherein the control circuit is further adapted to receive a fluid flow rate signal from the flow sensor that corresponds to the flow rate of the fluid from the fluid reservoir.   
     
     
         44 . The system of  claim 43 , wherein the mechanism comprises a biasing mechanism. 
     
     
         45 . The system of  claim 43 , further comprising a flow controller adapted to be positioned in fluid communication between the fluid reservoir and the wound therapy dressing. 
     
     
         46 . The system of  claim 43 , wherein the housing further comprises a receptacle configured to receive the fluid reservoir. 
     
     
         47 . The system of  claim 46 , wherein the receptacle is further configured to extend away from the housing to receive the fluid reservoir.